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Was it wrong for President Trump wear a blue suit to the Pope's funeral? Context of the Event and Dress Code Vatican Protocol: According to reports, the Vatican’s dress code for Pope Francis’ funeral recommended that “men wear a DARK suit” with a long black tie, a white shirt, and black accessories (e.g., shoes, socks, and a black lapel button for Vatican honors). Women were advised to wear long black dresses, gloves, and a veil, with minimal jewelry (e.g., a string of pearls). These guidelines align with traditional Catholic funeral attire, where dark colors, particularly black, symbolize respect and mourning. Other Leaders’ Choices: While Trump’s blue suit drew the most attention from the left wing media, others deviated from the strict protocol: • Prince William wore a dark navy suit with a black tie, which was closer to the “dark suit” guideline and attracted less criticism. • Former President Joe Biden wore a black suit but with a blue tie. • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore a black military-style outfit without a tie, reflecting his wartime attire since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. • India’s President Droupadi Murmu wore blue, possibly reflecting Hindu funeral customs, which do not strictly mandate black. Arguments That It Was Not “Wrong” 1. No Explicit Protocol Violation: • A Vatican source told People magazine that there was no strict funeral dress code listed on the Vatican’s website, and attendees were expected to wear what they considered “appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion.” This suggests flexibility in the guidelines, and Trump’s suit, while not black, was formal and dark enough to arguably fit the “dark suit” recommendation. • The New York Times noted that Trump’s choice “did not grossly violate the dress code for the event (which reportedly called for a dark suit with a black tie for men).” Prince William’s navy suit and Biden’s blue tie also deviated without drawing as much backlash, indicating selective criticism. 2. Non-Catholic Identity: • Trump, a nondenominational Christian, is not Catholic, and some argued his attire reflected his personal or religious identity. Similarly, Prince William, from the Church of England, and India’s President Murmu, a Hindu, wore blue, possibly aligning with their non-Catholic beliefs, where black is less strictly mandated for mourning. An X user defended Trump, stating, “You don’t understand the protocols. Trump isn’t Catholic. Prince William is in a blue suit too.” • Different faiths have varying funeral customs. For example, Hindu traditions may favor white or other colors, and Protestant Christians may not adhere as strictly to black attire as Catholics. Trump’s choice could be seen as an expression of his cultural or personal identity rather than disrespect. 3. Selective Outrage: • Critics focused heavily on Trump, but others, like Prince William, Biden, and Zelensky, also deviated from the dress code without facing comparable scrutiny. For instance, Zelensky’s military attire was applauded by some attendees, despite lacking a tie, suggesting that context (e.g., Ukraine’s ongoing war) influenced perceptions of appropriateness. A Vatican source indicated flexibility in attire, and Trump’s choice did not explicitly break protocol, as “dark suits” were allowed, and others like Prince William and Biden also wore blue elements.